The Red Pen #4 - June 7, 2009

The Red Pen #4
The Distortion of Calling – Part 1

-Proverbs 22:6 (New International Version)
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

-Ephesians 4:1-3 (New International Version)
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

The Reality of a Calling…

-Ephesians 4:17-24 (New International Version)
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

What is a Calling, and what is not a Calling?

Terms for definition:

1. God’s Will – “thelemah” What God has desired to be done for all of mankind.

-Romans 12:1-2 (New International Version)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

2. Spiritual Gifts – “pneumatikoi” Unique abilities imparted to us by the Spirit of God for the purpose of accomplishing specific tasks within the Kingdom.

-1 Corinthians 12:1-7 (New International Version)
Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

3. Vision – The proposed future picture of the church – not a biblical term.
-Proverbs 29:18 (New American Standard Bible)
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained.
But happy is he who keeps the law.

4. Balance – The idea that I can find a “happy medium” in life where everything is in order.

Calling is only found by looking backwards, not forward.
This is why calling cannot be vision.

Some questions to ask…

-When did I feel God’s pleasure?
-What was I doing?
-What about that gave me that blessing?
-If God led me to this church, how can I engage in activity that helps me experience God’s pleasure here?
-Am I doing that now?
-What is holding me back?
-What obstacles can I remove in order to fulfill calling?

Project…